Furnace charging apparatus



Dec'. 8, 1953 R. GORDON FURNACE CHARGING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1948 9Sheets-Sheet 1 FURNACE CHARGING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1948 A 9Sheets-Sheet 2 1 al.: 'J 87 fin 98 81 .92 82 95 :.92

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INVENTOR 10 0 -7102@ 101105l y ay Gordo/7 Dec. 8, 1953 R. GORDON2,661,853

FURNACE CHARGING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig` 7.

INVENTOR /Pay Gordo/7 Dec. 8, 1953 R. 'GORDON 2,661,8532.

FURNACE CHARGING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 6.9 I1i` I: l I 58 l I i 72 Il?? i (Ero" I INVENTOR o 71 ZZ Pay Gordo/7 l 0.

75 A I l 7% Dec. 8, 1953 R. GORDON FURNACE CHARGING APPARATUS 9sheets-sheet 5 Filed Jan. 5, 1948 INVENTOR Ray Gordo/7 gi@ 5w/17% Dec.8, 1953 Filed Jan. 5, 1948 R. GORDON FURNACE CHARGING APPARATUS 9Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR .Ray Gordo/7 Dec. 8, 1953 R. GORDON FURNACECHARGING APPARATUS Q'sheexs-sneet 7 Filed Jan. 5, 1948 INVENTOR yGordo/7 J ,y ZZ 4m- Dec. 8, 1953 R. GORDON FURNACE CHARGING'APPARATUSFiled Jan. 5, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 l /f/f w///,///// f/H/// f Dec. 8,1953 R. GORDON 2,661,853

FURNACE CHARGING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORRAY GQRDON Patentecl Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FURNAcE.eminem@ APPARATUS- Ray Gordon, Struthers, Ohio. Application-January 5,194s.. serial-'Na 495 1.4 Claims.`

This invention relates to furnace` charging-1 ap.- paratus and to`apparatus` for moving: work into and Within a furnace. In certain offVits more specific aspects it has. to dov with apparatus for chargingWork', e. g., billets` and the-like,.1nto furnaces for heating; thework. prior tofrolling. or forging.

My invention provides. apparatus forchargmg a furnace ina highly'expeditious: and' .eili'cient manner, the apparatus beingA relativelyJinexpensive yet at the sametime performing its fune:- tionsautomatically.'y and in a floolproof manner. The opportunities forhuman.error are largely eliminated and' the charging is. preferably.Y per.-formed by a seriesot predetermined cycliccperations which are initiatedby an operator: and which upon being-initiated proceed automatically tolconclusion of thencycl'e;

While my. invention isv adaptable tov apparatus for charging furnaces.of various types, it has especial utility in connection with :the:charging of furnaces for heating shapes. such as. billets, slabs and'the like, and for purposes .of explanae tion. and illustration theinvention will be: de,.- scrbed as embodied in apparatus for chargingabletheatngfurnace.

Phe-furnace per semay be of standard construction. For .exam-ple,itmay.- comprise a heat.- ing furnace heated= 'by combustion .orelectric heating means. "intowhich billets'. are charged generally from.a. side .of the furnace, the-billets :being moved longitudinally throughthea-furnace while lying in side-byeside.- relationship, thedi.- rectionof'movement :of the billets through. .the furnace being at right` angles`to theiri'lengths. "Ehe .billetsv may :be charged into the vfurnacethrough Ia vcharging..openingin a. sidewall. oft'the turnace near.oneend. The 'billetsmayrestuon while within :the furnace, thev skids'desirably being inclined from the charging zend'tofth'e discharging endyof the=-furnaceso .thatas the billets' vanis/tance through. the`furnacez .theyrnuxze somewhat'downwardly along the skids..

Movement of the billets throughntheiurnace may, {bel-effectedpushingmeans, whichtmeans may be disposed-:attire upper. oncharg-ingendof the furnace and may operate cyclicallyfto push downwardlyA billetswhichlhavefbeeneharged into the furnace throughthe charging opening. Inone manner of operation Lthe pushing means may push downwardly those,billets which are inthe furnace and may then be retracted, `whereupon a`new charge of billets" may' be introduced throught the` charging'vopening.. thel pushing means thereafter-operating torpus'lr downwardlythe new charge and. in turn. advance the previ'` ouslychargedbilletss.

'Bhe pushing means. may be. operated by! any suitablesourcefofpower,as,for example, asteani cylinder operating toturna-shaft having radialarms. to which the pusher. elements; are p'ivo'i'ed` The. pushershaf-tima'ybe employediinthe operation. off oontroli andyor.` signalmeans.y in. conjunc' tion.. with the charging apparatus: and' to] thatend may have means appliedtoitwhich perform functions, in relation: to.the chargingV apparatus when'. the4 pusher is= operatedf; asideV from.this the. furnace andi the" means..l for' moving? the Work through thefurnacemay be oflkncwnl construetion.

In. the. illustrated! embodiment of. th'e invention. I:provide.meanssforcharging billetsfi'nto. the furnace through-1 a.charging# @peni-ngi in. ai. side Wall of the furnace.` The char'gii'g--means are cyclically operable; introducing aL chargei off bil# lets intothe. furnace:Y and then. being.- retracted readyV for.' the' next?chargingoperation.. The charging means'v arepreferablyautomaticallyoperated so'. that* after a charge of billets h'a's been introducedvintorthe furnace the: charging element. automatically. returns to the-.position which. it .occupies lat."y thel beginning' of. al .chargingcycle'. with'outlanyf controlL or operation' ofi' it I by the.operatori' Means aref. preferablt7 provided insuring-that the'charging-means-cannotbefoper ated'. when'. the f pusher in i. the.furnace-- is` in afd#- vancecl4 position; This insures aga-inst# damageto 'the charging kapparatus for the furnace mechanism by operation ofthechargingl apparatus when the charging path lin-tolthefurnaegoli--Ystructed` by thepusherr I also provide signal meansshowingthecharg ingapparatus'. operator andthe furnace operator whenito inseratetheir'respectivecontrols.A When acharge ofj billets; isf. charged into'the furnace by the charging apparatus-afred'l-ight isi-lligh-ted`,that?v light remaining. lighted# untilil the.' furnace operator hasoperated the?pusher4 to pushfl the charge down. the" furnace..Gperationof v'the pusher-A results in extinguishing? or the'-.re'olhgh-t A whitelightsis `vlightedvvhen theefurnacepusher in'-retracted;` position: ready for.' `intr-oduction ofachfarge of billetslintofthe-furnace bu s'LeX-'f tinguishedwhen thepusherris:initsfforwardposi tion... Thus theredfllight servesas a.signalto the Afurnace :operator-1 to operatethe pusher-while the Whitelight -servesias aF-signfal` tc-thechargiingl apparatus" operatorYy to;initiateJ a'4X charging eyele.- of. that fappartusf The chargingapparatus -may-comprisea con- 3 veyor such, for example, as a rollertable on which billets are adapted to be advanced toward the furnace anda cyclically operable charging element in the form of a pusher adaptedto push into the furnace a charge of billets which has been advanced onthe roller table to a predetermined position. The pusher is desirablyautomatically controlled so that when its operation is initiated by theoperator to push va charge of billets into thefurnace it will completethat operation and then return to its retracted position ready for asucceeding billet pushing operation all without any further control oroperation whatever by the operator. nected with a carriage operable ontracks paral- The pusher may be conlel to the roller table. The pusherpreferably has a nose portion adapted to assume operative posimounted invarious different ways.

l furnace when it slows down and finally stops. It automatically movesback in the direction away from the furnace, starting up slowly and thenoperating at relatively high speed for most of its movement and finallyslowing down near the end of its backward movement and ultimatelystopping. The operator does nothing except initiate the cycle ofmovement of the carriage, the control system including the sequentiallyoperated switches thereafter controllingthe movement of the carriage.

The carriage controlling switches may be I prefer to employ a travelerwhich travels consonantly with the carriage and to mount the switchesalong the `path bf the traveler. While the traveler may y operate inalpath oriented in any direction, I

tion when pushing billets into the furnace and adapted upon retractionof the pusher to ride up over the next charge of billets lying on theroller table. Thus when the carriage carrying the pusher advances towardthe furnace to push a charge of billets into the furnace another chargeof billets may be advanced behind the carriage on the roller table andwhen the carriage returns to its initial position the pusher headengages the second charge of billets and rides up over them until itreaches the end thereof remote from the furnace when it resumesoperative position ready for the succeeding charging cycle. Y

The carriage may be operated by any suitable means. I find it convenientto operate the carriage by an electric motor which is mounted on thecarriage itself. In order to transmit current to the electric motormounted on the carriage I provide a mast pivoted about an axistransverse of the path of the carriage. An electrical conductor leadsfrom a source of electric current to the mast in the region of the pivotand thence extends outwardly toward the end of the mast and thenceextends to the motor on the carriage. As the carriage moves back andforth the mast swivels about its pivot` Desirably the mast is disposedto operate in a vertical plane and has its operative portion extendinggenerally upwardly from the pivot. In such case the mast preferablyhas arelatively short portion extending generally downwardly from` the pivotwhich is counterweighted so that the normal tendency of the mast is toassume generally upright position. The mast is preferably mounted aboutmidway of the path of movement of the carriage so that when the carriageis at one end of its path the operative portion of the mast leans towardthat end and when the carriage is at the other end of its path theoperative portion of the mast leans toward that end.

A link is preferably pivoted to the mast adjacent its outer or upper endand to the carriage and the conductor preferably extends from the upperend of the mast generally along the link to the motor on the carriage.The link may comprise two telescoping portions which are resilientlymounted for limited telescoping movement to prevent binding and take upshocks upon quick starting or stopping of the carriage.

The movements of the carriage are preferably controlled by a series ofswitches which are operable in accordance with the position of thecarriage in its path of movement. When the movement of the carriage in acharging cycle is initiated, the carriage preferably commences itsmovement slowlyY and after a short distance is speeded up, operating atthe relatively high speed until near the end of its stroke adjacent tothe prefer to cause it to operate in a generally verticalpath, whereasthe carriage operates in a generally horizontal path. While the traveleroperates consonantly with the carriage its amplitude of movement ispreferably less than that of the carriage.

In the illustrated embodiment there is provided a Ytower mounted invertical position adjacent the outer end of the path of movement of thecarriage and a traveler movable up and down in the tower. The carriagecontrolling switches are mounted on the tower along the path of movementof the traveler. The traveler has a shoe which successively engages theswitches in its movement up and down in the tower. The traveler isconnected with the carriage by a iiexible connector such as a cablewhich passes about sheaves which guide it from the carriage upwardly t0the level of the top of the tower, thence laterally, and thencedownwardly within the tower. Within the tower the traveler is preferablyconnected with the cable by a pulley system which reduces the amplitudeof movement of the traveler relatively to the amplitude of movement ofthe carriage. The traveler is desirably counterweighted so that itmaintains the cable taut and moves downwardly in the tower by gravity.

A control is provided so that if for any reason the movement of thecarriage is interrupted during a cycle the carriage will automaticallyupon resumption of operation move away from the furnace to its originalposition or starting point. Movement of the carriage during its cyclemay be interrupted by various causes, as, for example, power failure,opening of a circuit breaker due to overload, etc. If such aninterruption of the movement of the carriage should occur while thecarriage is moving toward the furnace the carriage will not continue itsmovement toward the furnace upon resumption of operation but willautomatically move back to its original position or starting point.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the following description of a present preferred embodimentthereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodimentof the invention, in which Y K Figure 1 is a plan view, partlydiagrammatic, of furnace `charging apparatus;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal elevational view, partly diagrammatic, of thefurnace charging ap- -paratus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic fragmentary longitudinal elevational View toenlarged scale showiextend generally downwardly to the conveyor andalong which billets to be heated are adapted to be advanced. Dependingupon the particular billets being heated one or more billets mayconstitute a charge and may be transferred from the skids 28 onto theroller conveyor 21 at a time. For example, three billets may constitutea, charge and may be transferred from the skids 28 onto the rollerconveyor 21 upon each cycle -of operation of the charging apparatus.

At opposite sides of the roller conveyor 21 adjacent the right handportionkof the roller conveyor, viewing Figurej2, are columns 25 uponwhich are mounted rails forming a track paralllel to the conveyor andslightly above the top of the conveyor. Mounted upon the track for move-.ment therealong is a carriage 3l having a body .32 carrying flangedwheels 33 riding upon the respective rails 30. Carried by the car andprojecting forwardly therefrom is a peel or pusher 34 having a pusherhead 35 which when in operative position projects downwardly until itslower surf ace just clears the rollers of the roller conveyor 21 so thatthe pusher is adapted to push along the conveyor billets lyingthereupon. The billets are maintained in place on the rollers by sideguides 36. The pusher head 35 is pivoted to the pusher body by a pivotpin 31 so that it is free to turn between its operative position asshown in Figures 2 and 11A through an angle approaching 90 in thecounterolookwise direction about the axis of the pin 31 upon engagementwith billets lying on the conveyor when the carriage 3l moves away fromthe furnace after pushing a charge of billets through the chargingopening 1. When the pusher is pushing a charge of billets into thefurnace another charge of billets may be advanced along the conveyorbehind the carriage so that when the carriage moves rearwardly thepusher head 35 will ride up over those billets until it clears the rearends thereof when due to gravity it will turn down to operative:position ready to push the billets into the furnace.

The carriage 3l is operated by an electric motor 38 mounted thereon andwhich is connected through gearing with one or more of the wheels 33.The motor is a reversing motor so that by driving it in the desireddirection it will move the carriage either forwardly or rearwardly.

Mounted in horizontal position in brackets 39 about midway of the pathof the carriage along the track is a shaft 40 serving asV a pivot for amast 4I. The mast 4I is mounted upon and adapted to turn about the axisof the shaft 40. The mast is built up of light weight structural steeland is normally adapted to be positioned with one end extendinggenerally upwardly and the other end extending generally downwardly fromthe shaft 40. The upwardly extending end of the mast is relatively longand the downwardly extending end is relatively short. The downwardlyextending end is weighted at 42 so that the normal tendency of the mastis to assume a generally vertical position with its longer endprojecting upwardly. An electric conductor from a source of currentpasses to the mast in the region of the shaft 40 and thence outwardlyalong the mast and thence to the motor on the carriage 3l. As thecarriage 3l moves along the track the mast swivels back and forth aboutthe axis of the shaft 40.

I prefer to employ a link between the upper end of the mast and thecarriage. The link is designated generally by reference numeral 43 andcomprises an upper hollow member or pipe 44 yand a lowerfsolid member orpin 45. The pipe 44 is pivoted to the top of the mast at 46. The pin 45carries a yoke 41 pvoted at 48 to an ear 49 carried by a shaft 5Dmounted in bearings 5l on the carriage. The pin 45 enters the, lower endof the pipe 44. Thecollar 52 is fastened to the lower end 'of the pipe.A clevis 53 is connected with the yoke 41 and has a cross-piece 54extending about the pipe. A compression coil spring 55 is biased betweenthe yoke 41 and the collar` 52 andl another compression coil spring 56is biased between the collar 52 and the crosspiece 54. Thus, consideringthe pin 45 to be stationary, when thel pipe 44 tends to telescope fdownwardly over the pin it is allowed to partake of limited telescopingmovement relatively to the pin, which movement is resiliently opposedand ultimately limited by the spring 55; and when the pipe 44 tends-tomove upwardly relatively to the pin 45 it is allowed to partake oflimited telescoping movement relatively to the pin, which movement isresiliently opposed and ultimately limited by the spring 56. The link 43is thus an extensible and contractable telescopinglink and the springsabsorb shock which would otherwise be imparted to the apparatus. Thelink 43 might be dispensed with entirely, but I ned its use generallypreferable.

The electric conductors may be connected with the mast and carriage byany suitable connectors. For example, each of the two conductors maypass through a bore 51 in a block 58 carried by the pivot 46 and asimilar block may be provided on the carriage. Such blocks may be of anynonconducting material such as wood, Bakelite or other plastic.

The movement of the carriage along the track is controlled by anelectrical system shown in Figure 20 and comprising a series ofswitches. The switches are disposed so as to be sequentially operatedconsonantly with movement of the carriage. One form of control mechanismmay include a control tower 59 disposed invertical position at one sideof the conveyor 21 a short distance to the rear of the rear end of thetrack 30. Connected with the carriage at 60 is a iiexible connectorshown as being in the form of a cable 6l. The cable 6| passes about asheave 62 stationarily mounted upon any suitable support and thenceupwardly and over another sheave 53 carried by a projection 64 at theupper end of the tower 59. The cable thence passes over a sheave 65forming one of a series of pulleys in a pulley system shown in Figures 9and 10 in which the upper pulleys are designated generally by referencenumeral 66 and the lower pulleys are designated generally by referencenumeral 61. The upper pulleys are stationarily Ymounted at the top ofthe tower 59, the lower pulleys 61 being carried by a traveler 6B whichis adapted to move up and down in the tower and which has guide membersB9 cooperating with vertical guides 10 forming part of the tower. Thetraveler is also braced against the tower and maintained in properorientation by rollers 1| carried by brackets 12 on the traveler. Thetraveler is of sufiicient weight that it maintains the cable taut andthus in one sense it may be termed a counterweight.,

As the carriage 3l moves along the track 30 -from left toright, viewingFigure 2, the cable 6| pulls the traveler B8 upwardly in the tower.

Howeven because of the pulley system thedis- Atance which the travelermoves upon an increment of movement of the carriage is only a frac-,tion ofwtheminovementof the carriage. The pulfourth of thecorresponding movement of theV carriage. When the carriage moves backfrom right to left, viewing Figure 2,V away from the furnace thetraveler moves downwardly in the control tower through the action ofgravity.

Mounted on the control tower along the path I of the traveler are sixswitches designated respectively by reference numerals 13, 14, 15, 18,11 and 18. The relationship of these switches to the remainder oftheelectrical system is shown in Figure 20 and will be presently described.For present purposes it may be explained that when the carriage 3| movestoward the furnace the traveler moves upwardly in the tower. As thecarriage nears the furnace a tripper or shoe 19 on ther traveler engagesand operates the switch '.16 with the result that the carriage slowsdown. The carriage proceeds at low speed until the shoe 19 engagesandoperates the switch 11, which stops the carriage. The switch 18 is anemergency stop switch which is engaged by the shoe 19 if the carriagehas not been stopped by operation of the. switch 11. Similarly, as thecarriage moves away from the furnace it begins to move rst at low speedand then moves at faster speed until the shoe 19 engages and operatesthe switch 15, which slows down the carriage. When the shoe 19 engagesand operates the switch 14 the carriage stops. The switch 13 is anemergency stop switch to stop the carriage if it has not been stopped byoperation of the switch 14.

A portion of the electrical system control is carried by the furnacepusher shaft I5 (see Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6). That portion of the controloperates the interlock which prevents the carriage from being movedwhile the furnace pusher is advanced and also operates the'. red andwhite lights above referred to. Y.

The red light switch is shown at 80 in Figure 3. It comprises an arm 8|pivotally mounted at 82. With reference to Figure 3, when the arm 87| isdepressed or turned in the clockwise direction about the axis of the pin82 the switch is closed to light the red light.

Pivoted to one of the rails 30 at 83 is a treadle 84 adapted to beengaged by a ange of one of the forward wheels 33 of the carriage 3| asthe carriage nears the furnace. The treadle 84 has a generallydownwardly extending arm 85 to which is pivoted at 86 a link 81 which inturn is pivoted at 88 to the switch arm 8|. A cornpression coil spring89 bears between a portion 90 of the switch carrying mechanismv and astop 9| disposed about the link 81 below the pivot 86. The spring 89normally maintains the treadle 84 and the switch arm 8| in their upperpositions when the red light is out. When the car wheel depresses thetreadle 84 the switch arm 8| is depressed and the switch -is closed tolight the red light. A latch 92 is pivotedat 93 and has a hook 94adapted when the switch arm 8| is depressed to be drawn by a spring 95into engagement with that arm to hold the switch arm down and the switchclosed until the latch is withdrawn. A iiexible connector 96 isconnected with the upper end of the latch at 91 and passes aboutasheave98 to an arm 99 carried by the furnace pusher shaft |5.

-When the carriage 3| approaches the furnace the Wheel depresses thetreadle 84 and closes the lswitch 80, .which is maintained closed by thelatch 92 which is drawn into position to maintain the switch arm 8|downwardly by the tension coil spring 95. The red light is the signaltothe furnace operator that a charge of cold billets has'been'introduced into the furnace through the chargingV opening 1. Heoperates the pusher shaft I5 to push those billets to the left, viewingFigure 19, as above described. The pusher shaft .turns inthe clockwisedirection, viewing yFigure 19, andin the counterclockwise direction,viewing Figure 4, when the billets are being pushed downwardly in thefurnace. Turning of the shaft I5 causes the arm 99 to draw the connector96 upwardly and about `the sheave 98, which Withdraws the latch 92 fromlatching engagement with the switch arm V8| and permits the spring 89 toopen the switch 80. This extinguishes the red light. The red lightremains outA until -on vthe succeeding cycle the carriage, 3| againoperates the treadle 84 when the series of operations .described isrepeated. l

The white light switch is shown at |00 in-Figure 6. It comprises aswitch arm |0| pivoted at |02 and normally urged by a spring (not shown)to turn in the clockwise direction about the axis of the pivot |02,viewing Figure 6, to open the switch |00. Figure 6 is taken so that whenthe furnace pushers are operated the pusher shaft I5 turns in thecounterclockwise directiongviewing that figure. The shaft I5 carries acam |03 which when the furnace pushers are-retracted operates the arm|0| to close the switch |00. When the furnace pushers are advanced andthe shaft l5 turns in the counterclockwise direction, viewing Figure 6,the outer end- |04 of the switch arm I0| rides down off of the cam I 03and the switch |00 opens. This extinguishes the white light.' The switch|00 remains open until the shaft I5 turns back in the clockwisedirection to the position in which the cam |03 raises the extremity |04of the switch arm |0| to again close the switch |00. By thisV mechanismthe white light is lighted when the furnace pushers are in theirretracted position, i. e., in position so that the furnace is adapted toreceive a new charge of billets. The charging inachine operator uses thewhite light as his signal for charging billets into the furnace.

As will presently appear, the charging machine can only operate when aswitch which interlocks the charging machine with the furnace pusher isclosed. The interlocking switch is shown at |05 in Figure 5. The furnacepusher shaft l5 has rigidly connected thereto an arm |06 having a hole|01 drilled therethrough. Passing through the hole |01 isa bolt |08having a head |09.l A nut ||0 is threaded onto the bolt at the face ofthe arm |06 opposite that at which the bolt head |09 is positioned, butthe nut I0 is not drawn up tightly. Instead, a compression coil springis disposed between the bolt head I 09 and the arm |06.

When the furnace pusher shaft I5 is in the position which it occupieswhen the pushers are retracted, the bolt-head |09 is pressed downwardlyagainst the operating element |I2 of the switch |05 to maintain theswitch |05 closed. This closes a master control circuit which makes itpossible for the charging apparatus operator to operate the chargingapparatus. However, when the furnace pusher is operated the shaft I5turns in the counterclockwise-direction, viewingl Figure 5, and theoperating element ||2 of the switch |05 is released, being resilientlymoved upwardly by a spring not shown which opens the switch |05 andmakes it impossible to operate the charging apparatus until the pushershave returned to their retracted position.

The switches and |05 are opened and closed at approximately the sametime by operation of the shaft and if desired those switches might becombined into one.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 20, there is provided a sourceof 220 volt direct current l |3 and a source of 110 volt alternatingcurrent H4. The red light is shown at lI |5 and the white light at ||6.There are provided three control switches ||1, ||8 and ||9, all of whichmust be closed when the charging apparatus is to be put into use. Theoperators control switch for initiating a cycle of operations of thecontrol mechanism is shown at and a reset switch is shown at |2|.

When a. cycle of operations of the carriage 3| is to be initiated thefurnace pushers |8 are in retracted position, the white light ||6 is litand the interlock switch' |05 is closed. Switches |22 and |23 onoverload relays |24 and |25 respectively are normally closed. At thebeginning of operation the reset switch |2| is operated, energizing coil|26 which closes switches |21 and |28 whereby to maintain the coil |26energized upon opening of the reset switch |21. The coil |26 remainsenergized and the switches |21 and |26 hence remain closed so long ascurrent flows through the circuit. The reset switch |2|l need only beoperated when the motor 38 has been stopped due tooverload or wheneither of the switches |1 and ||9 has been opened. All of the switches13, 14, 15, 16, 11 and 18 are normally closed and are opened by contactof the tripper or shoe 19 therewith. As the carriage 3| is ready tostart a cycle of movements, i. e., to move from its retracted positiontoward the furnace, the switches 14 and 15 are maintained in openposition by the shoe 19, all of the other switches 13, 16, 11 and 18being closed.

. Switch |29 is normally closed, energizing coils |30 and |3|.Energizing of coil |30 closes switch |41 and energizing of coil 3| opensswitches |48 and |49 and closes switch |50. Operation of the controlswitch |20 by the operator energizes coil |32 which closes switches |33and |34, and also energizes coil |35 which closes switches |36, |31 and|38 and opens switch |39. So long as switches |31 and |38 remain closedcoils |32 and |35 remain energized. The motor 38 starts to turn in theforward direction, i. e., in the direction to move the carriage 3|toward the furnace, and the coil is energized, opening the normallyclosed switch |29. The coils |30 and |3| are now maintained energized bythe closed switch |38.

Current ilows through closed switches 16 and |33 to energize coil |4| toclose switches |42 and |43. The closing of switch |42 causes current toflow through normally closed switch |44 to energize coil |45 whichcloses switch |46 and opens switch |60. Since switches |43, |46 and |50have been closed current ows through and energizes coil 5| This closesswitch |52, energizing coil |53. This in turn closes switch |54 whichenergzes coil |55.

Energizing of coil I 5| closes switch |56, energizing of coil |53 closesswitch |51 and energizing of coil closes switch |58, thus speeding upthe motor in the forward direction. The motor has now been acceleratedto full forward speed` As v coils |30 and |3I.

the carriage approaches the furnace the red light ||5 is lighted asabove explained. The shoe 19 engages and opens the switch '56, this inturn deenergizing coil 4| and opening the switch |43. Opening of theswitch |43 deenergizes the coil |5|, opening the switch |52 and in turndeenergizing the coil |53. Deenergizing of the coil |53 results inopening of the switch |54 and deenergizing of the coil |55; The resultis that switches |56, |51 and |58 are opened, bringing in the startingresista-nce |59, resulting in slowing up of the motor. Deenergizing ofthe coil |4| also results in opening of the switch |42 and consequentdeenergizing of coil |45. This results in closing of switches |44 and|30, applying armature shunt |6| and causing the motor to slow clown.

As the shoe 19 engages the switch 11 that switch is opened, deenergizingcoils |32 and |35. This results in deenergizing of coil |34 and closingof switch |48 and applying dynamic braking to the motor to bring it to astop. Coil |30 is also deenergized, allowing switch |41 to open,disconnecting the motor from the source of current.

In case opening of the switch 11 for any reason fails to stop the motorcontinued movement of the carriage opens switch 18 which opens thecontrol circuit and brings the motor to a quick stop. When the armaturecurrent in the motor drops to a predetermined point coil |40 isdeenergized and switch |23 closes. This energizes Switches 16 and 11 arenow open while switches 13, 14, 15 and 18 are closed. Coils |62 and |65are energized through switches |39 and |29. Energizing of coil |62closes switches |63 and |64. Energizing of coil |65 closes switches |66and |61 and opens switch |68. So long as switches |51 and |68 remainclosed coils |62 and |65 remain energized. The motor 33 starts to turnin the reverse direction, i. e., in the direction'to move the carriage3| away from the furnace, and the coil |40 is energized,- opening thenormally closed switch |29. The coils |30 and |3| are now maintainedenergized by the closed switch |61.

Current `flows through Aclosed switches 15 and |63 to energize coil |4|to close switches |42 and |43. The closing of switch |42 causes currentto flow through normally closed switch |44 to energize coil |45 whichcloses switch |46 and opens switch |60. Since switches |43, |46 and |50have been closed current flows through and ener gizes coil |5|. Thiscloses switch 52, energizing coil |53. This in turn closes switch |54which energizes coil |55.

Energizing of coil |5| closes switch |56, energizing of coil |53 closesswitch |51 and energizing of coil |55 closes switch |58, thus speedingup the motor in the reverse direction. The motor has now beenaccelerated to full reverse speed. The shoe 19 engages and opens theswitch 15. this in turn deenergizing coil |4| and opening the switch|43. Opening of theswitch |43 deenergizes the coil 5| opening the switch|52 and in turn deenergizing the coil |53. Deenergizing of thecoil |53results in opening of the switch |54 and deenergizing of the coil |55.The result is that switches |56, |51 and |58 are opened, bringing in thestarting resistance |59, resulting in slowing up of themotor.Deenergizing of the coil |4| also results in opening of the switch |42andconsequent deenergizing of coil |45. This results in closing ofswitches 44 and |60, applying armature shunt |6| and causing the motorto slow down.

the shoe '19 engages the switch 14 that @mandos is opened, deenergizing.coils |63 and 1.6.5. .This .results .in deenergzing o rcoil |3| andclos'- ing of switch |48 and .applying ldynamic braking to the motor tobrine .it to a stop. '=.Goil .|39 .is yalso deenereiaed, allowing.Switch |41 to open, disconnecting 'the motor from the `sc mrce of .our-Iem.

.In .oase opening of :the switch 'Ul .for any reason fails to .stoprtl-1e motor continued movement of fthe carriage opens switch 313 whichopens vthe control circuit and -brings the motor to a quick stop. Whenthe :armature .current the motor drops to `a predetermined `poi-nt .coil|40 is deenergized .and switch- .129 closes, thus setting up theapparatus for a .succeeding cycle..

The .motor operating circuit after. the control switch has been. :closedby the: operator .is as follows. `Beginning .at :the lefthand side oftheline at 1.3 the current flows through Vthe `left- ;hand-side .of theswitch |i|8, the overload relay |25, .the closed 4switch .1:34, the.motor armature 469,' Athe closed .switch y|r3.|i,.:tl1e inotorfseriesIield :lx1-.0, zthe starting-resistance |59., ,the closed switch |61,.the overload relay :|24 and ythe :righthand side-.of the closed switchA|18 to the -righthand side of the line H3. As Vthe ,carriage 'Btl movestoward the furnace the switchees I 5B,- |51 and A'|518 .close one after:the other in that onder. 'These switches .successively .cut .outportions `.of the .starting resistance .|59 .so that the motor speeds upto high speed.`

The motor operating circuit after the carriage has stopped land begun tomove in the reverse' direction away from the furnace is as follows.Beginning at :the lefthand side of the line at I |.3 the current flowsthrough the lefthand .side 0 1 the switch I8, the overload relay |25,the .closedswillch |64, the motor armature 16.9, the .closed .switch|65, the motor series eld |10, Vthe starting resistance |59, the closedvswitch 141, the .overload relay |24 and therighthand side .of the line|13, As the carriage 3| moves away from the furnace the switches |56,51. and .|58 .close `,one after the other in that order, These Switches.successively cutout portions .0iE .the starting resistanceylll so thatthe motor speeds up .to high Speed. Y

If when Athe carriage 3| is moving toward .the furnace a power failureoccurs, switches |34 .and .4.35 open- When power is resumed the switches|64 and |66 will be closed through the normally .closed switch |29 withthe result that the Gal'- riage will ,automatically move in the reversedirection away from the `furnace to its starting point instead ofresuming the forward motion of which it was partaking when theinterruption occurred;

,While vI have shown anddescribed .a present preferred embodiment of theinvention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scopeof the following claims.

I claim:

1. Furnace charging apparatus comprising a work guideway, a carriagemovable along the guideway and a generally horizontal pusher rigidlymounted on the carriage adapted to engage work disposed on the guidewayand push the same therealong, the pusher having a pivoted work engagingnose which upon movement of the carriage in the direction opposite thedirection in which the work is pushed is engaged by work disposed on theguideway and turned out of the plane of such work.

5.2..:Fumace char-.ging capparatus :.;comprising a carriage movable fromaa 'furnace opening means carried by 11th-e marriage :for 4`engaging:and moving itowarid J@the fuma-ce `work :to abe charged tinto 1tirefurnace. driving fmeans :for :the .carriageimcunted :on :the :carriageand r con- ;trol :.meansgseparate :from the :carriage -inclu-ding meansmounted for imovenrent Vconsonant with. vmovement .gof `l.the carriage:and .means mounted sinathe path :of movement of =sa`idmeansand-0pera-ble :thereby :for .automatically controlling 'the :drivingmeans.

13. Fgurnace ;.charging .apparatus comprising a charging device .movabletoward 'and fawayfrom a zfurnace, fdri-ving :means ifor :thus :movingithe ldevice .and control :for ycontrolling fthe vdriving :means etnocontrol :means including fa .html element disposed ,in :the 'path of .aportion fof y.the device factuatable wby fthe Vdevice 'zas it nears thefurnace in :its lmovement toward -#che furnace A.and connections betweenthe control .el-enment and :the driving :means 'to reverse Tthe edi#-rection of drive. x

;I'?utnace @charging apparatus -comprising a charging device movableitoward and away from .a 4furnace, driving means .for ,thus moving thedevice, control means fior controlling the {driv- .ing .means andmanually .operable -means or in- 1,it-iating operation sof the fcontrolVand :driving means, the control x'mean-s :including `a .control :elementdisposed in the path tof .a portion lof the device actuatable by thedevice las it nears .the furnace in its movement -toward :the turnaceyto ,reverse the direction -of Adri-ve so that the device automaticallypartalees of .a cycle fof movements toward and away .from `the funnace:in'respense 1.to a -single operation of the imanually .operable means,5. Furnace charging :apparatus comprising .-a charging dev-ice movabletowand and :away from .a furnace. :driving means .for the device carried.by the device, control means for :controlling the ldriving l.means and:manually operable means for initiating operation of the control anddriving means, the control .means .including a control elementactuatable as .the device nears the A-fur- .nace in :its movement towardthe furnace to re- .verse the direction :of drive so that the deviceautomatically pantalees .of a cycle of movements toward and :away fromlthe furnace in response .to a single .operation of the manually'operable means.

.6. `Furnace charging apparatus comprising a 'charging device .movabletoward and away from fa furnace, `driving .means for thus moving thegdevoe, control .means -for controlling the driving means and manuallyoperable means for i-nitiating operation or" the control and drivingmeans. the control means .including a control element disposed `in thepath of a portion of :the device actuatable by the device as it nearsthe furnace in its movement toward the furnace to reverse the directionof drive and a control element actuatable as the device nears the end ofits movement away from the furnace to render inoperative the drivingmeans so that the device automatically partakes of one cycle only ofmovements toward and away from the furnace in response to a singleoperation of the manually operable means.

7. Furnace charging apparatus comprising a charging device movablegenerally horizontally toward and away from a furnace, driving means forthus moving the device, a traveler movable generally verticallyconsonantly with the device and control means operable by 'the traveler`for controlling the driving means.

8. Furnace charging apparatus comprising a charging device movablegenerally horizontally Ytoward and away from a furnace, driving meansfor thus moving the device, a traveler movable generally verticallyconsonantly with the device and control means including a series ofswitches successively operable by the traveler for controlling thedriving means so that the device upon completing a movement toward thefurnace reverses and moves away from the furnace and 'upon completingits movement away from the furnace is brought to a stop.

9. Furnace charging apparatus comprising a charging device movablegenerally horizontally toward and away from a furnace, driving means forthus moving the'device, a traveler movable generally verticallyconsonantly with the device but whose movement is of less amplitude thanthe movement of the device and control means operable by the travelerfor controlling the driving means.

l0. Furnace charging apparatus comprising a charging device movablegenerally horizontally toward and away from a furnace, driving means forthus moving the device, a weight movable generally vertically, ailexible connector connecting the weight with the device so that theweight moves generally vertically -consonantly with the generallyhorizontal movement of the device and means operable by the weight forcontrolling the driving means.y

11. Furnace charging apparatus comprising a charging device movablegenerally horizontally Ytoward and away from a, furnace, driving meansfor thus moving the device, a tower, a Weight movable generallyvertically in the tower, means connecting the weight with the device sothat Athe generally vertical movement of the weight in the tower isconsonant with the generally horizontal movement of the device and meansoperable by the weight for controlling the driving means l2. Furnacecharging apparatus comprising a charging device movable generallyhorizontally toward and away from a furnace, driving means `for thusmoving the device, a tower, a weight movable generally vertically in thetower, means including a flexible connector and pulleys about which theflexible connector is reeved connecting the weight with the device sothat the generally vertical movement of the weight in the tower isconsonant with the generally horizontal movement of the device but ofless amplitude and means operable by the Weight for controlling thedriving means.

13. Furnace charging apparatus comprising a. charging device movablegenerally horizontally toward and away from a furnace, driving means forthus moving the device, a tower, a, weight 16 movable generallyvertically in the tower, means including a flexible connector andpulleys about which the ilexible connector is reeved connecting theweight with the device so that the generally vertical movement of theweight in the tower is consonant with the generally horizontal movementof the device but of less amplitude, a series of switches forcontrolling the driving means and means carried by the weightsuccessively engaging and opening the switches upon generally verticalmovement of the weight.

14. Furnace charging apparatus comprising a charging device movablegenerally horizontally toward and away from a furnace, driving means forthus moving the device, a tower, a weight movable generally verticallyin the tower, means including a ilexible connector and pulleys aboutwhich the flexible connector is reeved connecting the weight with thedevice so that the generally vertical movement of the weight in thetower is consonant with the generally horizontal movement of the devicebut of less amplitude, a series of switches for controlling the drivin-gmeans and means carried by the weight successively engaging andoperating the switches upon generally vertical movement of the weight sothat the device upon completing a movement toward the furnace reversesand moves away from the furnace and upon completing its movement awayfrom the furnace is brought to a stop.

RAY GORDON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 385,250 Daniels June 26, 1888 564,629 Mather July 28, 1896586,809 Dutton July 20, 1897 606,159 Boyd June 21, 1898 668,050 PeckFeb. l2, 1901 704,286 Allis July 8, 1902 704,540 Hill July 15, 1902r189,767 Snyder May 16, 1905 868,639 Brown Oct. 22, 1907 887,805 HigginsMay 19, 1908 1,003,344 Cruikshank Sept. 12, 1911 1,234,630 Collord July24, 1917 1,595,139 Blount Aug. 10, 1926 1,687,501 Liddiard Oct. 16, 19281,797,348 Kamerer Mar. 24, 1931 1,880,374 Dahl'strom Oct. 4, 19321,891,531 George Dec. 20, 1932 2,151,338 Shonnard Mar. 21, 19392,166,404 Halt July 18, 1939 2,240,506 Levesque et al. May 6, 1941.2,397,339 Crosby Mar. 26, 1946 2,466,180 Monroe Apr. 5, 1949 2,469,269

Lear May 3, 1949

